"Those who HONOR me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained." "YAHWEH's every WORD is flawless..." (1 Samuel 2:30, Proverbs 30:5)

"The Pastoral Office of the Modern Church is not Biblical"

The head pastor is a fundamental figure within the church who is met
with praise, accolades, and reliance upon to dispel the Word of God to the
masses. He is most often on the top of the hierarchical ladder, or status as
the main focal figure to render out theological interpretations within the
church institution. He is often trained and graduated as a professional from a
seminary who has met the criteria, or qualifications to maintain their
position.

What would happen if the office
of the head pastor was removed from the church altogether?

Could the church still function,
or would it completely dissolve without a prominent figure to man the helm?

What may come as a surprise is that the pastoral office in Early Church
looks quite different to the the office of the head pastor in the modern
churches today. The facts of history and Scriptural context will serve as
evidence that this is the truth. Before you read any further, it is important
to leave your personal feelings at the door because many will have friends and
family who fill the head pastoral office somewhere. This is not meant as an
attack on them as individuals, but a critical examination the office of the
head pastor.

And He gave some as apostles, and
some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers. –
Ephesians 4:11

From the only singular verse that appears in the New Testament, there
are some important things to consider:

Pastor is the Latin word for shepherd, and the Greek word for
pastors is rendered as poimenas, which also means shepherds. This would mean
that a pastor is not a professional title, but a metaphor for one of the many
functions of the church. A shepherd is a person who cares for and nurtures the
people of God, but not within the context of a professional hierarchical title.
Upon closer inspection of Ephesians 4:11, it appears that man has added to and
distorted the true definition, description, and function of a pastor, which has
created the office of the head pastor in the institutionalized churches today.

The man-made idea of a prominent head pastor comes from a desire of
people to have someone revered to bring them to God who is specially trained
and is to stand out from amongst the crowd.

But two men had remained in the
camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit
rested upon them (now they were among those who had been registered, but had
not gone out to the tent), and they prophesied in the camp.So a young man ran and told Moses and said,
“Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” Then Joshua the son of Nun, the
attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “Moses, my lord, restrain them.” But
Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for
my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would
put His Spirit upon them!” - Numbers 11:26-29

These verses here give an example of Moses opposing hierarchical or
"special" positions that would suppress all of God’s people from
using their giftings to the specially qualified.

I wrote something to the church;
but Diotrephes, who loves to be first
among them, does not accept what we say.For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he
does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he
himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire
to do so and puts them out of the church. – 3 John 9-10

Yet this you do have, that you
hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. – Revelation 2:6

These are the words of Jesus Christ who was opposed to Nicolaitans,
which in Greek means “conquering the people.” He was opposed to making distinct
hierarchical classes of people within the church who are considered prominent
by lording themselves over others.

The definition of the pastoral office in our western society is not a
Biblical concept, but a man-made one that is a distortion of a gifting. The
Early Church was led solely by the headship of Jesus Christ where His body was
recognized by men who were of all equal standing. People were recognized by
their spiritual maturity, not by their hierarchical elitism. The apostles did
not reside in the church, but were temporal as “church planters” who moved
where God called them to oversee for a time.

The deviation from the biblical pastoral office can be traced to
Ignatius of Antioch (AD 35-107) and the role of the bishop. The bishop was
given complete authority and required absolute obedience in the church. In the
third century, Cyprian of Carthage made more distinct classifications of
Christians with the terms clergy and laity. He was a pagan orator who became a
“Christian” who did not abandon the pagan traditions, but incorporated them.
The position of bishop eventually evolved to the head of the church and the
delegated responsibilities went to the presbyter.The presbyter evolved into the
Catholic priest as the hierarchical structure of the church broadened. By the
fourth century, deacons took a role under the presbyters, and under them were
the laymen. By the time of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century,
the Catholic Church practices were questioned; the bishop’s office and the
priesthood was reduced to the presbyter. What the Protestants did not do was
question the status classifications between clergy and laity, but kept them
with their own classification system. There are those who are
“special”,“called”, and who must be “ordained” into a “ministry.” In fact there
is really no distinction between the duties of the Catholic priest and a Protestant
pastor except for slightly reformed office.

The biblical among a participatory body has changed to a ruling single
pastor (sola pastora). Likewise, the bishop was raised to a status where all
power and authority from him was absolute. Ignatius said, “He that honors the
bishop is honored of God.”

Fallen man always has the urge for someone to mediate between them and
God. We can see this in Exodus when the Israelites wanted Moses to be their
mediator for everything. Today, we can see that the pastor takes on a similar
role, and conducts everything from baptism, marriages, sermons, and controlling
influence over other activities within the institutional church.

The hierarchical system infiltrated the church as a result of the
influential Greco-Roman culture. The church had become an institution with
“official” people doing ministry. The true Scriptural church, which was led by
the Holy Spirit was functional and shared by all believers, but soon became a
thing of the past. Pagan organizational patterns have infiltrated and became
the backbone of what is the modern institutional church.

A true follower of Jesus Christ should understand that what a person
does in everyday life is sanctified by God, there is no need for a higher
calling into the “ministry” versus a worldly vocation. The dichotomy between
what is “sacred” and what is “worldly” is a pagan conception. There are no
grounds for ordained spiritual elitism because every believer has the
discernment from God to recognize those who have particular giftings that God
has given them. In the Early Church, the term “ordain” did not mean to be put
into an official title, but rather an affirmation of the gifting and character
of an individual that is recognized. It was a blessing pertaining to the
function, not a rite. Ordination into office stems from pagan rites by
empowering an individual through divine streams to become venerable, honorable,
and separated. It is the syncretism of Old Testament priesthood with Greek
hierarchy. In contrast, each person who was part of the Early Church did not
set themselves higher than one another, but in humility served each another.

Shepherd the flock of God among
you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to
the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted
to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. – 1 Peter 5:2-3

You will find nowhere in the New Testament where preaching, baptizing,
marriage, etc... was limited to those with "special" powers and
authority. We all have immediate access to God; the true church is a collective
of believers that share the Word of God with one another, not via a singular
paid mediator to a passive audience. According to John Calvin, “The pastoral
office is necessary to preserve the church on earth in a greater way than the
sun, food, and drink are necessary to nourish and sustain the present life.” It
is clear today that that most church institutions have taken John Calvin’s
model of church, but is in no way, shape, or form the model of the Early
Church, which apostles had planted.

Both the Catholic and Protestant practices of church are built on the
same human ideologies and traditions. The modern pastoral office has become an
obstacle to the true functioning of the church. True functioning believers of
Jesus Christ are not meant to be simply ears to hear the "very words of
God" that are preached from the pulpit every Sunday morning.

The Greek word for minister is diakonos, which means servant. It has
become incorrectly synonymous with a pastor who is in a professionalized
salaried position.

What has the office of the head
pastor of the modern church done to followers of Jesus Christ that can be seen
in the modern churches today?

What really stands out is the division of Christians into separate
classes where the special, or more privileged can only serve Jesus Christ in
certain ways. The man-made system suffocates the rest of the church body into
becoming complacent to a one-man-ministry that reaches to mute audience. In
contrast, the Early Church encouraged every member of the body of Christ to
function with a right and privilege in the church assembly.

Are you tired of being a
spectator who feels compelled and obligated to sing, raise your hands, take
notes, and put money in the offering plate? (1 Peter 2)

Unfortunately, the office of the head pastor in the modern church has
circumvented the very headship of Jesus Christ because it has taken the
centrality and the functional headship away from other believers. When Jesus
Christ is truly the headship, it manifests as freedom and openness with
everyone contributing, and all body parts functioning as they should.

The professional, modern pastor has become slave to the office, which
oppressively manifest in many ways, such as emotional breakdown, marital
issues, stress, burnout, and even depression just to name a
few. This is not the result of the pastor, but the effect of the modern man-made office.

Scripture does not support one sole individual to wear so many hats at
one time. There is a high expectation and obligation to entertain, "tickle
ears," and make everyone feel good. This is artificial Christianity at its
best, which to be blunt, is dishonest, deceptive and potentially dangerous. The modern head pastor
can be likened to a Hollywood star who wins an Oscar for the primary role as
portraying someone who is always spiritual, cheerful, perfectly dressed, and
disciplined in all areas of life. This often leads to an unapproachable and unquestioning attitude
which exposes the political nature and susceptibility to corruption of the modern-day office of pastor. This condition often leads to isolation from the congregation to just those who are also in a vocational position within the institutional church. Unfortunately, they often have no real substance
outside of that exclusive group.

Take the time to study all the scriptures and you will see that the evidence reveals that the office of the head pastor and its specific function in the modern church is unsupported and non-existent in Scripture.

Son of Man

About this Blog:

This blog's purpose is to encourage a thorough and accurate study of the scriptures and relative historical facts to determine the truth in all things pertaining to the gospel of the Kingdom of Yahweh and the Ekklesia - the Body and Bride of Yahshua Messiah. To edify, strengthen, mature, grow and unite all disciples of Yahshua in love, and exhort them to fully understand and embrace their function, purpose and potential as active ambassadors for Yahshua and equal members of Yahweh's ordained royal priesthood within the new covenant Ekklesia as established under the authority of Yahweh by His teachings through His son Yahshua Messiah and his chosen Apostles.

Yahshua said:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”John 8:31-32

He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”John 12:47-50“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the one (monos) true God, and Yahshua Messiah whom You have sent.”John 17:3

Out of respect for revealed truth, whenever possible, original content will use the proper, eternal and memorial name of the God if Israel - Yahweh (YHWH - Exodus 3:15) rather than the generic "titles" LORD or God, and the Hebrew name He gave His son - Yahshua (Yahweh is Salvation).

Content of posts or links not written by the curator of HonorGodsWord.com may not always represent the expressed beliefs of the curator.

Surely you know "THEIR" names?

Who has ascended into heaven and descended?Who has gathered the wind in his fists?Who has wrapped the waters in his garment?Who has established all the ends of the earth?What is His NAME or His son's NAME?Surely you know?Proverbs 30:4

Do YOU know the "personal" names of the God of Israel and His only begotten son?

This is not a random question - it's a question being asked directly from scripture - and the questioner expects YOU to know the correct answer.

“Surely you know?”

YAHWEH (YHWH) is the "eternal and memorial name" given to Moses by the God of Israel inExodus 3:15.

Fact: The name Yahweh has been known since Moses received it directly from Him at the burning bush. Likewise, the name Yahshua has been known since Mary and Joseph received it directly from the angel Gabriel. Neither of these names has ever been lost - they have just been ignored and replaced.

If this is true, then why use another name - a different name?

Do names really matter?

Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.Psalms 9:10

Man's "Church" or Messiah's Ekklesia?

The Messiah said: "Upon this rock I will build MY 'Ekklesia.'" Matthew 16:18

The word "ekklesia" literally means, called out assembly. So why are today's "churches" legally created corporate entities - run by paid executives, headquartered in buildings with a cross on top, with signage and marketing promoting exclusive denominational brands?

Who is Yahshua's God?

Yahshua was a Jew and believed there was only one true God of Israel. His creed was the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4-9- the monotheist creed of all Jews.Yahshua was NOT a trinitarian, nor did he ever espouse such a doctrine.

"...and Yahshua answered him, `The first and most important of all the commands [is], Hear, O Israel, Yahweh is our God,Yahweh is ONE." Mark 12:29

"And this is eternal life: to know You (Yahweh), the ONE[Greek: monos - alone, solitary - without a companion] true God, and the one whom you sent—Yahshua Messiah."John 17:3

The Apostle Paul said the Messiah's God was also his God - and that the two were not both God.

"For there is ONE God, andONE mediator also between God and men, the MAN [anthrópos - human]YahshuaMessiah"1 Timothy 2:5

To the angel of the ekklesia in Philadelphia write:"I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My NAME." Revelation 3:8-9

Yahshua never used the word "Church"

"And I say that you are Peter/Petros [Small stone], and on this petra [Large rock] I will build my Ekklesia, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."Matthew:16:18

Yahshua Messiah said "I will build MY "Ekklesia." The Greek word Ekklesia means called-out assembly, or called-out community. So why do most bibles translate Ekklesia as "church" (Greek: kyriakos), which means a "building?"Who is responsible for changing the word Ekklesia to church over 100 times in the bible - and Why did they do it? Click here to find out why it should matter to every Christian.

Denominations = Divisions

"Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of Yahshua Messiah, that you all agree and that there be NO DIVISIONS among you, but that you be made complete in the SAME mind and in the SAME judgment. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”Has Yahshua Messiah been divided?Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"1 Corinthians 1:10-14

"Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions, divisions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and TURN AWAY FROM THEM.For such men are slaves, not of our Messiah but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.Romans 16:17-18

By scriptural definition, denominations are exclusive divisions of the true Ekklesia based on different doctrines, creeds and traditions of men. By Paul's own words, denominations are divisions that render the Ekklesia "incomplete." Paul exhorts Christians, by the name of Yahshua, that there should "be NO DIVISIONS" within the Ekklesia - only UNITY of the "SAME MIND" and the "SAME JUDGMENT." Paul "urges" Christians to "TURN AWAY" from men who cause "dissensions, divisions and hindrances."

The Trinity is Idolatry

"This is My Name"

“Two things I have asked of you; don’t deny me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me; lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the NAME of my God." Proverbs 30:7-9

"Courage for Truth" The One True God

What was the Gospel Message that Yahshua preached?

"Whatever Yahshua preached, it got people excited. Even the demons were riled up. And Yahshua’s message angered most of the religious leaders he encountered. In the end, it got him killed on a Roman cross. So what exactly was this inspiring, challenging, goading, and apparently subversive message of Yahshua Messiah all about?" READ MORE: HERE and HERE.

So how important is it to both understand and believe the gospel that Yahshua Messiah preached?

Now after John had been taken into custody, Yahshua came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of Yahweh,and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of Yahweh is at hand;repent and believe in the gospel.”Mark 1:14-15

What really happens when you die?

Traditional "Church" doctrine teaches that you go to heaven - but is that biblical? Find out HERE - and more HERE.

"Vocational" Pastors

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his livelihood and salary depends upon his NOT understanding it." Upton Sinclair

Even Dennis gets it...

Sorry Dennis - The gospel isn't free!

Real 'Church' History

501(c)(3) - A Deal with the Devil?

Click Image for the answer

Trinity Confusion

Anthony Buzzard

How many is God? One or Three?

Yahshua Testifies Against the Trinity

"The Trinity Exposed"

Jewish thoughts on the Trinity

Today's "Church" Hierarchy (Clergy vs. Laity)

But he [Yahshua] told them, “The kings of the unbelieversrule over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors [Title of honor].But you [My disciples] are NOT to do so. On the contrary, whoever desires to be greatest among you should become like the youngest [Recent convert], and the one who leads should become like the one who serves [A slave who waits on guests].Because who is greater, the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? It is the one at the table, isn’t it? But I [Yahshua] am among you as [An example] one who serves.Luke 22:25-27

Church is NOT a Business:“In the begenning church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And finally, it moved to America, where it became an enterprise." ~ Richard C. HalversonFormer chaplain of the U. S. Senate

"But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men."

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."~ Yahshua Messiah: Matthew 7:15

"I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking corrupt things to draw away disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert..." ~ The Apostle Paul:Acts 20:29-31

"Now I urge you, brethren, identify and expose those who cause dissensions, divisions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.For such men are slaves, not of our Messiah but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.~ The Apostle Paul: Romans 16:17-18

"But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of the Messiah.No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.~ The Apostle Paul: 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

"But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Yahshua Messiah, in order to bring us into bondage." ~ The Apostle Paul:Galatians 2:4

"Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.For many [false teachers] walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Yahshua Messiah,whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things." ~ The Apostle Paul:Philippians 3:17-19

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron..."~ The Apostle Paul:1 Timothy 4:1-2

“But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."~ The Apostle Paul: 2 Timothy 3:13

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."~ The Apostle Paul:2 Timothy 4:3-4

"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that anti-messiah is coming, even now many anti-messiahs have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."~ The Apostle John:1 John2:18-20

"Reject a factious man [specializing in half-truths and misrepresentations "to win others over" - to their personal opinionand misguided zeal – while creating harmful divisions] after a first and second warning,knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned."~ The Apostle Paul: Titus 3:10-11

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from Yahweh as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. ...But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."~ The Apostle Peter: 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2:1-3

"For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of Yahweh into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Yahshua Messiah. Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, andfor paythey have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam. These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit."~ Jude:Jude 1:3-4, 11, 19

"Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings"~ The Apostle PaulHebrews 13:9

"You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward Yahweh? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of Yahweh."~ The Apostle James:James 4:4"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.Becauseyou say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."~ Yahshua Messiah: Revelation 3:15-19

The Pastor...

"He is the fundamental figure of the Protestant faith. So prevailing is the pastor in the minds of most Christians that he is often better known, more highly praised, and more heavily relied upon than Jesus Christ Himself! The un-scriptural clergy/laity distinction has done untold harm to the body of Christ. It has divided the believing community into first and second-class Christians… and perpetuates an awful falsehood – namely, that some Christians are more privileged than others to serve the Lord… We believe the pastoral office has stolen your right to function as a full member of Christ’s body. It has distorted the reality of the body, making the pastor a giant mouth and transforming you into a tiny ear. It has rendered you a mute spectator who is proficient at taking sermon notes and passing an offering plate. The contemporary pastor is the most unquestioned fixture in twenty-first-century Christianity. Yet not a strand of Scripture supports the existence of this office. "~ ‘Pagan Christianity?’

"One More Person"

Same Passion - Different Motive:Oscar Schindler was passionate to save more lives, the Apostle Paul was passionate to save more souls.

Do today's corporate church leaders have Paul's passion and motive? "I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some."1 Corinthians 9

Church Hierarchy - Parts 1 - 5

The Business of Church

Does Government Control Your Church?

Ecclesiastical Irony...

The ICV Bible (Humor)

Extreme "Vocational" Pastors on Reality TV

Pay close attention at the 1:10min. mark of the video for their "scriptural" evidence to justify being "owed" a (really nice) salary. Sound familiar? It's the same scriptural evidence vocational pastors use to "...reap material things from you."

Beware of/Expose False Teaching

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Yahshua Messiah, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of our Messiah and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Yahshua Messiah. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Yahshua Messiah. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our Yahweh into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Yahshua Messiah.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of Yahweh comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Yahweh. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Yahweh. ...

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ...

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from Yahweh, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of Yahweh: every spirit that confesses that Yahshua Messiah has come in the flesh is from Yahweh, and every spirit that does not confess Yahshua is not from Yahweh. This is the spirit of the antimessiah, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from Yahweh and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...

Yahshua left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Yahshua answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will lead many astray. ...

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the ekklesia, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

All Scripture is breathed out by Yahweh and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Yahweh may be competent, equipped for every good work.

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Yahshua Messiah and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Yahshua said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Yahshua began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. ...